Ciment, Norman Interview

Permanent Link:: http://dpanther.fiu.edu/dpService/dpPurlService/purl/FI14103279/00001

Material Information

Subjects / Keywords:: Oral Histories- Miami Beach (FLa.)
Eruv--Jewish law--Interpretation and construction
Mayors--United States--Florida--Miami Beach
Genre:: Video Recordings
Spatial Coverage:: North and Central America-United States- Florida- Miami-Dade- Miami Beach
Coordinates:: 25.7802788 x -80.1303466

Abstract:: Norman Ciment was a one-term mayor of Miami Beach (1981-83). He was the first Orthodox Jew to serve in that post and possibly the first in the country. He grew up on Miami Beach, graduated from Miami Beach High School in 1953. His father's family origins are Hungarian (Cziment). He was Mayor during the formation of the historic Art Deco District and was supportive of that effort. Another accomplishment during his term was the creation of an “eruv,” a physical demarcation line surrounding the entire City of Miami Beach, which extends the kosher zone from observant homes throughout the city, making everyday activities permissible on the Jewish Sabbath and High Holy Days. The increase in Jewish tourism to Miami Beach was significant and encouraged the proliferation of Orthodox Jewish institutions and neighborhoods on Miami Beach. He discusses his growing up, his political campaign, his Hungarian roots, and the creation of the eruv.
General Note:: (Location) Interviewer's Office in Miami Beach
Biographical:: DOB 03/13/1936